September 11, 2018

Today is September 11th, 2018. A date in our American history that shall always be remembered. A date that, 17 years ago, brought much fear, pain and destruction on to our American shores as Muslim Extremists brought their campaign of hate and terror to Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and New York City. Their hate was based in culture, religion and history, a hate more violent than most Americans had ever witnessed.

Unfortunately, the American Soldier was already very familiar with the results of violent ideology. Over the decades it may have sprouted from Japan, Germany, Italy, the Middle East, Africa and other locations around the globe. Wherever the root resides the spread of evil and destruction soon followed, and it was often the American Soldier who was called upon to fight to drive the hate out existence; or at least back underground.

Terrorism did not start on September 11th, 2001. Some would say it started in the Garden as brother killed brother, others would point to religious attacks on the Nation of Israel or by the Nation of Israel. Wherever it started, it starts with anger. Anger matures to hate, hate into evil and evil into destruction. Maybe it is the idea that we are right, you are wrong; we are better and you must submit to our ways or we will force you to change. Maybe it is just a belief system that leaves no room for other beliefs or ideals; or a political party of the same thought pattern.

On August 8th, 1985 at 7:15 am terrorists blew up a car bomb at Rhein Main Air Base, Germany. These terrorists simply hated Americans and the American presence in their country. Forgotten was the freedom they now enjoyed and the economic boost the German economy enjoyed because of the Americans who served on their soil, all that remained was an ideological hatred. This attack killed 2 and caused much damage but would have been much worse if it had detonated 30 minutes later, as planned by its evil builders. The parking lot and Wing Headquarters building would have been full of military and civilians beginning their work day. I was station at Rhein Main on that day and on a normal day would have been close to the Command Building after being relieved of my normal duty time on the flight line at 0700. Fortunately, US Intelligence had detected a plot being planned and the associated “chatter” so we were searching aircraft and equipment for explosives or unauthorized people. I think the sad part was that, even then, the search for bombs has become common place as the threat of terrorism was very real and ingrained in our lives.

Today, while we ponder the results of an effective Muslim extremist terror attack on our country, let us also look deeper at the roots of these violent outbursts of destructive evil; and as we look into that cesspool we never want to look into let us look into ourselves as well.

The same root as Mussolini, Hitler, Bin Laden and the like, resides here among us today. The root of hatred is the same, while the ideology pushing it forward may be different. We have seen neighborhoods burned as violent riots break out across the country, horrendous and calculated attacks on various people groups of all lifestyles and beliefs and a growing propensity for outbursts and calls for violence erupting in our political groups.

We are not immune from evils dastardly desires and must always be wary and watchful to prevent their destruction becoming common place on American Soil.

There is one sure weapon against hate: Love. A love for God and our neighbors that is life changing and Evil erasing!

1 Corinthians 13:4 – 7 “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” NLT

Simple principles that could revolutionize our American experience and eliminate hate and violence.

All that would need to happen is one thing: Implementation into our lives.